Flashlight



March 6, 1951 B. N. WICKWIRE 2,544,059

FLASHLIGHT Filed April 11, 1947 ,B. m W507i wire INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 6, 1951 NITED STATES This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flashlights of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of an improved and novel flashlight which may be quickly detachably secured within a womans handbag, valise or other like location where a limited amount of illumination is often desirable.

Another object of this invention resides in a new and improved flashlight construction which readily adapts it for the uses set forth and a construction which allows for easy repair and replacement of the individual components of the light at such times when it might become necessary.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a small and compact light which is easily operable in being turned off or on selectively and a light which when secured in place as described retains a limited scope of selective beam direction relative to its location.

Still a further object and advantage of this invention resides in the provision of such a flashlight as herein described which is of an extremely simple and inexpensive design and a simple and durable construction.

1 Claim. (01. 240-10.6)

Still further improvements and advantages of this invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the light.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken from the second side of the light.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the battery support.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention and in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout A designates an elongated rectangular box-like housing open throughout the length on one side I thereof and a substantially square aperture 2 is formed centrally in one side of said box adjacent the open side thereof.

A three sided lamp reflector shield 3 is secured about said aperture with the open side thereof adjacent the open side I of the housing.

An elongated right angular U-shaped cover 4 of substantially the same size and configuration as the housing A and open at each end thereof is adapted to be placed in a tight clamping overlying condition about the housing A and enclosing the open face thereof. The cover 4 is pivoted to the housing A at the one end thereof on a pair of directly opposite pins 5 extending inward from each side of said box through said cover. Thus the cover may be swung from an open position to an enclosing position about the open face of the housing A with the side arms of the U-shaped cover tightly embracing the walls of the box ad.- jacent the open face thereof with raised buttons 8 on each inner face of said legs engaging aligned depressions in said box securing said cover in place.

The side leg of the cover 4 which overlies that wall of the housing A supporting the reflector 3 is provided with a cut out portion 7 adapted to form a suificient recess to permit the cover to close tightly over said box without being obstructed by said reflector, and a portion of the cover material removed from the recess 1 is flanged outwardly at right angles to said leg to form the fourth side of the protective reflector when said cover is closed.

An insulated block 8 is placed centrally within said housing directly behind the aperture 2 and is secured in place by a pair of internal screws 9.

A lamp base socket I0 is formed within said insulated block to open outwardly through the aperture 2.

A pair of contacts I l are formed with said base socket to extend one from each side of said block longitudinally with said housing to form an open contact adjacent said block in each open half of said housing.

The battery support includes the elongated member 13 secured within the housing A by means of the bolts [4 and nuts 15' mounted on the bolts.

A pair of U-shaped spring clips 12 are provided on the support one in each open half of said housing adapted to receive and retain a dry battery B therein with one end of each in abutment with the open contacts H.

The second end E3 of one of said batteries is normally in abutting contact with the end wall of said housing while the second end of the second battery is in abutment with an insulated plate It positioned between said battery end and the adjacent end Wall of said housing.

A threaded stud [5 extends through said end wall of said housing adjacent the plate IA and is adapted by an external knob is to be moved inward and outward of said housing through a provided aperture in the plate It allowing the selective contact of said shank with the adjacent end of said battery.

Thus it may be seen that an open circuit is normally maintained through said batteries and lamp base and through said housing A which is broken only by the plate It and that the circuit may be selectively closed to energize said lamp base by turning said shank inwardly into contact with the adjacent battery end thus lighting the lamp IT in said base socket.

An elongated U-shaped safety type pin C is carried longitudinally with and in an inserted rotatable position within and without said housing adapting said light to be quickly and easily removed from or secured within a purse, valise or the like.

It may be seen that the loose rotatable connection between said pin and said housing permits a limited rotation of said housing about said pin for selective direction of said light.

Due to the construction of the battery support and clips as shown by Fig. 4, batteries held therein will be retained longitudinally therewith in spaced relationship.

The elongated member 13 is adapted to be inserted in a non-metallic flashlight housing of the same type as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2' and 3 to form a metallic conductor for the open circuit when an insulated central block and insulated end plate are placed therewith in the same manner as described in the metallic construction previously discussed.

This member l3 permits the use of a less expensive housing of a plastic or the like thus reducing the cost of construction of said flashlight.

Thus it may be readily seen that an improved and novel flashlight has been provided which has unlimited uses and which is of an extremely simple, durable and inexpensive design and construction.

Having thus described and explained the construction and function of this invention and with full belief that modifications in size, materials used and general characteristics would not constitute a departure from the spirit of this invention what I desire to claim in Letters Patent is:

A flashlight of the character described, comprising an elongated housing having an open side, an insulating block mounted intermediate the ends of the housing, said insulating block having a lamp socket, a lamp in the lamp socket, contact members extending through opposite ends of the block, the inner ends of the contact members being in circuit with the lamp socket, a battery holding member comprising an elongated member, pairs of spring clips extending from the elongated member, batteries frictionally held within the spring clips, means for removably securing said battery holding member within the elongated housing withthe batteries supported thereby in engagement with the contact members, completing a circuit to the socket and lamp,

v and a pivoted closure movable over the open side of the housing and securing the battery holding member in the housing.

. BERTRAM N. WICKWIRE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,172,354 Grote Feb. 22, 1916 1,194,986 Finkbeiner Aug. 15, 1916 1,226,607 Gillen May 15, 1917 1,271,390 Thomas July 2, 1918 1,947,975 Dianovsky Feb. 20, 1934 2,009,952 Beaumont July 30, 1935 2,299,148 Johnson Oct. 20, 1942 2,361,414 Ramsey Oct. 31, 1944 2,373,390 Fuss Apr. 10, 1945 2,424,432 Bower July 22, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 374,306 France Dec. 24, 1921 862,694 France Dec. 16, 1940 

